The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-18

astic cheers of ms friends.
Before night he had left ST. Augustine, and
no one knew to what part of Florida he had
gone to resume his mysterious life of adventure.
CHAPTER XIII
LAST WORDS AND LAST SIGH.
The same day. the 18th of March, James and
Gilbert Burbank. Mr.. Stannard and his daugh-
ter, and Zermahs husband returned to Candles
Bay.
They could not hide the truth from Mrs. Bur-
bank. The unfortunate mother received a fresh
blow which, in the weak state she was, might
prove fatal.
The last attempt to discover the fate of her
child had failed Texar had refused to answer,
And how could ne be obliged to do when he
asserted that he not the author of the ab-
duction? By alibi more unntellieible than
those that had preceded it, he had proved that
not at Marine creek when the crime took
place. Had he been found guilty they could
have gi ven him his choice between suffering the
consequences or revealing the Whereabouts of
his victims
"But if it was not Texar." asked Gilbert, ''who
was t9
at must have been some of his people,. said
Mr.. Stannard.
'Thas is the only explanation" said Edward
Carol.
mo. father. no, Mr. Carroll" said Alice.
''Texar was in the boat. saw him. / recog-
nized him when Zermah shouted his hame! 1
saw him! saw hm"
What could be the answer to thisg Alice ad-
hered to her statement that it impossible
for her to have been mistaken. And if she was
not mistaken, how could the Spaniard have been
at Fernandna, in one of Duponts gunboats at
the timer
1t inexpicable But if the others had any
doubt, Mars had none He made no effort to
comprehend the incomprehensbe. All he aid
was to make up his mind to follow after Texar
and to wiring from him the secret, even if it be-
came necessarysto torture him.
lyon are right Mars" said Gilbert 'But we
may have to do without the scoundrel il do
not know what has become of him. We must
start search again! have orders to re-
main on leave as long is needful, and to-mor-
row"
"Yes, Mr.. Gilbert, tomorrow"
And the half breed went to his room, where
he could give free vent to his sorrow and his
anger
In the morning Gilbert and Mars completed
their preparations for departure. They were
going to devote the day to careful search
among the minor creeks and small islets on both
banks of the ST. Johns above Candles Bay.
During their absence James Burbank and Ed
ward Carol would prepare for a more extended
campaign. Provisions, ammunition, means to
transport, men-nothing would be neglected.
If they had to go to the wild regions of Lower
Florida. to the Southern marshes, and through
the Everglades they would 60. That Texar
had left Florida was impossible. To the north
he would have found the federal troops on the
Rr ha
make for the Bahamas, and Commodore Du-
points fotilla had closed all the passes He
must be in Florida, hidden where his victims had
been hidden for fortnight, and the expedition
would seek for his traces over the whole terri
tory.
There was peace at Jacksonville. The old
magistrates had resumed their position in the
municipality There were more citizens in
prison for their opinions. Texar's partisans had
| all fed
The war continued in the central States much
to the advantage of the federals On the 18th
and 10Th the first division of the Army of the
Potomac landed at Fortress Monroe. On the
22d the secead division prepared to leave Alex
andria for the same destination. In spite of the
military genius of the old professor of chemistry,
StonewalI jackson, the Southerners were beaten
at Kernstown. There was thus no rising to be
feared in Florida which always remained some
what Indifferent to the heated passions of North
and South.
The Candies Bay men gradually came back.
After the capture of Jacksonville the orders of
Texar and his committee relative to the expul-
sion of the freedmen of effect. On the
18th of March the greater part of the blacks had
returned and were busy rebuilding the bar
racoons, while many were at work clearing the
ruins Of the stores and saw-mi lis Under the
direction of Edward Carroll, Perry and the
sistant overseers were very busy. To him
James Burbank left the whole task of reorean-
ization The fathers whole time was devoted
to the search for his child. dozen of the freed
negroes were chosen to help in the expedition,
who. with heart and soul. entered on their work.
Where was the expedition to go? There was
much reason for hesitation. But unhoped-
for circumstance fortunately gave a clue
On the 10Th Gilbert and Mars left Castle
House and set off MP the St. Johns. None of
the negroes of the plantation accompanied them
1t necessary to act secretly possible so
as not to awake the suspicion of the spies, who
might be watching Castle House.
Gilbert and Mars were coastng along the left
bank. Among the masses of foliage and float
ing islands detached by the high tides of the
eouinox the boat risk of discovery.
Up TO the village of Mandarin the river is al
most marsh At high water the stream over
| flows the low banks. and it is not till half tide
| that the ebb is enough to reduce the St Johns
| to its normal level The right bank is higher;
the fields of maize above the level of the
| periodical foods which prevent any tillage be-
| ing attempted 1t might even be called ridge,
along which rise the few houses of Mandarin;
and the ridge ends in a cape projecting into the
| stream.
| Below numerous islands occupy the bend of